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“Last night the FCC released a Public Notice that shifted many deadlines until November 4. The Public Notice did not address the LPFM Filing Window directly, and so technically the window is currently open and the deadline for submitting applications remains 6 PM on October 29. ... ”

“The Commission has extended the filing window, already open, such that the deadline for submitting Form 318 applications will not occur until November 14. The agency essentially added 16 days to the window, reflecting the period in which the government was shut down and electronic filing access was denied to prospective applicants. ... ”

“But for the fact that everyone must await permission seemingly before anything can be done in modern America, one might easily be forgiven for wondering just why the federal government shutdown was supposedly such a crisis. As it happens, however, virtually nothing can get done in certain highly regulated fields unless and until the federal government signs off on it. ... ”

“We live in a time that has tended to reduce holiness to merely being nice and agreeable. In this manner of thinking holiness tends to be variously thought of as: getting along well with everyone, being kind, agreeable, helpful, likable, generous, pleasant, mild mannered, amiable, good humored, middle of the road, even tempered, placid, benevolent, friendly, forbearing, tolerant, thoughtful, and the like. It can all be summed up by saying that "so-and-so" is "basically a nice person." And thus the goal seems more to be nice than holy. ... ”

“On of the trickier terrains to navigate in the moral world is the experience of guilt. Guilt is understood here as a kind of sorrow for sin. On the one hand there is an appropriate sorrow for sin we ought to experience. Yet there are also types of guilt that can set up, either from our flesh or from the devil which are self destructive and inauthentic. Some forms of morbid or harmful guilt can cause great harm and actually increase the frequency of sin due to the way they render a person discouraged and self disparaging rather, rather than chastened but confident of mercy, healing and help. It may be of some value to make some distinctions so that we can discern what sort of guilt is healthy, and what is not. ... ”

“In Lumen Fidei the Pope examines the virtue of faith through the familiar images of seeing and hearing (cf. LF, 29-31). Scripture often uses these two human senses to describe the life of faith. Seeing the mighty works of God leads to faith: They saw and believed (cf. Jn 2:23; 20:8). At the same time, belief leads to and serves as a kind of sight: If you believe, you will see the glory of God (Jn 11:40). ... ”

“Given all the talk of Syria in the news lately, I was asked if Syria is the same Assyria that is mentioned in the Bible. The answer is no from a political perspective. The modern state of Syria was formed after World War I and became independent after World War II. ... ”

“One of the more common critiques that many Catholics make of their clergy is that they seldom hear from their pastors on moral topics in the news and our culture such as fornication, divorce, abortion, religious liberty, homosexuality, redefining marriage and so forth. Most recently the question of war and warfare have also been in the news. ... ”

“For you musicians and disciples of St. Cecilia, I thought you would enjoy a reflection on perfect time. For those who read music, we are familiar with the C that may appear after the clef sign. Its often the designation for 4/4 time or common time. This, of course, is a misnomer. ... ”

“A close friend from high school went to Paris during one of our breaks. He came back enthused by what he saw at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Since he was not Catholic he did not understand what he encountered there. But that did not stop him from breathlessly describing everything: the architecture, the images, the candles, the incense (A boy with a smoke machine!). What really got my attention was his talk about a piece of bread that had become some mans body. Now, thats amazing, I thought. He handed me the brochure from the basilica and I read it with great excitement. Then, to my shame, I was disappointed to learn that he was only talking about the Eucharist. Only. ... ”

“The feast of the Queenship of Mary, August 22, has a special meaning to me not only as a deacon but as a husband. First, a quick reminder about this feast. The foundation of this title and feast finds itself firmly rooted in Scripture when the Archangel Gabriel announced that Marys son would receive the throne of David and rule forever. Most know that Pope Pius XII established this feast in 1954. ... ”